SAN ANTONIO — The City of San Antonio and the San Antonio Police Officers Association have reached a tentative three-year labor agreement that would increase police officers’ base pay by a cumulative 16.5% and cost the city an estimated $102.2 million if approved.
The city and the union announced the tentative agreement Friday after nearly six months of negotiations. Union members must ratify the contract before it goes to the San Antonio City Council for final approval. If approved, the agreement will take effect Oct. 1 and remain in force through Sept. 30, 2029.
In addition to pay increases, the agreement includes changes to health benefits, work schedules, specialty and certification pay, field training officer compensation, leave policies, educational incentives and other employment provisions.
Negotiations began Jan. 30 and included 10 formal bargaining sessions. The talks focused on compensation, health care, work schedules and other employment issues. The union temporarily paused negotiations in April after rejecting the city’s compensation proposal, but both sides resumed bargaining and reached a tentative agreement in fewer than six months.
Officer compensation remained the central issue during negotiations. The union initially proposed a package that included a 9% across-the-board pay increase, additional hourly wage increases totaling $5 per hour over three years and expanded health care benefits. City officials estimated the proposal would cost about $155 million over three years.
The city initially offered a compensation package valued at about $63 million over three years, later increasing it to about $76 million in April and approximately $90 million in late June before the two sides agreed to the current proposal.
The agreement comes as city officials prepare the fiscal year 2027 budget while projecting a $158 million budget shortfall over the next two years.
City Manager Erik Walsh said the agreement provides pay increases and health benefits for officers while balancing the city’s long-term financial obligations.
SAPOA President Johnny Perez described the tentative agreement as “a fair compromise for both sides” and said it reflects the union’s efforts to improve officer pay and benefits. He said the agreement will now be presented to union members for a ratification vote.
